Drain valve



R. H. GEORGE July Z5, 1933.

DRAIN VALVE Filed Aug. 21, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheetl 1 y Inde f?- Rober eo e;

@Mw/MMM? orney Jufy 25, 1933. R. H. GaoRGE DRA I N VALVE Filed Aug. 21. 1929 2 Sheehs-Shearif.A 2

Patented .Fully 25, 1933 Boissier ir. suenen, er riiinannnriria; rnivivsYLvAiviA nimmV VALVE Application filed August 21, 1929. Serial No. 387,306.

My invention relates to drain valves for steam apparatus and the like, and it relates more particularly to that type of drain valve which automatically permits Vthe water of condensation. to flow from the steam apparatus, the valve 'member being 'spring supported, and in usebeing normally held on its seat by the live steam pressure against the `tension of the supporting spring. Devices of this' general character are well known and in common use for draining the water of condensation from the cylinders of steam engines and pumps, pipe lines, and vother steam chambers and passageways.

My invention further relates to a drain valve which may also serve as arelief valve in the event of any abnormalpressure eXisting in the working chamber of the steamapparatus which the valve-'is adapted to drain.

The principal object of my present invention is to provide an improved form of valvek of the above inent'ioned type, which will be simple and efficient in its action, which is so constructed and arranged as to permit the use of a compression spring therein for supporting the valve member, and in which the valve member' will be properly guided to its seat to the end that the same will` function properly at all times.

A further object of my invention is `to provide, as a specific embodiment,a drain valve for steam Vengines and the like which will not only-serve to drain the steam chest and cylinder of the engine, but also act as a' relief valvev in the event of any abnormal pressure existing in thecylinder by reason of the accumulation of lwater therein,or otherwise.V l Y' v lVith the foregoing objects in view, my invention contemplates certain improved details of construction, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. f

The nature and characteristic features of myy invention will be more readily understood from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming` part hereof, in which:

Figure l is a vertical, central, sectional view of a drain valve embodying the main features of mypresent invention, the valve lspirit of my invention.

being shown in the raised orelevated posi-lv tin assumed when the steam supply is shut O i j v Y Fig. 2 is a transverse section thereof, taken l on the line 22 of Fig. l; Y y Y Fig. 3 is a view similar toFig. l,:but showing an embodiment `of -my invention in which. the steam connectionis made in the side'of the body instead vof inthe cap, as shown in Fig. l; Fig. 4 is a transverse section thereof, taken .taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. Z and F ig.`l isvanl end elevationof the valve member shown in Figs. 7 to 9,inclusive, the same being removed. from `the casing."

It will, of course, be understood. that/the drawings and description herein contained are. illustrative merely, land Lthat various modifications and changes may be made in the structure ywithout departing. from the Referring nowmore'particularly to Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, in the particular embodiment of my invention therein shown, ll is a casing having an internal valve seat l2. An outlet opening 13 is provided below the valve scatto permit the drainage to pass. therethrough when the valve member is in theV elevated position shown in the drawings.

An extension 14C in the `bottom of the casing is'threaded'as at-15,whereby an outlet i pipeinay be connected to the structurek for earrying'away the drainage water.v Thelow'er portion of the"`interior of the casing, as at 16 isof a'icertain diameter, 'Y while above said portion 16 ofthe interior,

the casing is counterbored, as at 17, Vof alv larger diameter than the portion 16,"to provide a space within which the valve supporting spring 18 is located.

The top of the casing is closed by a cap member 19, having a connection nipple 20 threaded as at 21, for the connection of the pipe which extends from the steamapparatus to the drain. y

The valve member 22 is slidably mounted in the interiorvoi the casing, the underace of the body portion 23 of thevalve being shaped complementally to the seat 12, which as hereinbefore stated is provided at the lower portion of the interior of the casing.

The valve body 23 is of a diameter slightly less than the lower interior portion 16 of the casing, thereby to provide a space 24 around the outside of the valve body to permit the drainage to pass from the interior of the casing through the port 13, to the pipe which is connected to the lower extension 14 of the casing. f

A plurality of integral arms extends upwardly from the valve body 23, certain of these arms 25 being parallel to the axis oit' the valve member, and others of these arms 26 being inclined to said axis.

By arranging the arms 25 and 26 as above, the valve member will be rendered more rigid, and at the same time the inclined arms 26 willserve to give the valve member a slight rotative movement from time to time, thus insuring more even wear of the Jraces of the valve and the valve seat.

rl`he exterior surfaces of the arms 25 and 26 lie in a common cylinder ot such diameter that the lower portions thereof will Jliorm a Asliding lit in the lower interior portion of the casing, and the upper portions thereofV will serve to guide the supporting springend retain the same in the counterbore 17 in the upper portion of the casing.

The upper portion of the valve member comprises an integral ringshaped portion or annulus 27 of such external diameter as to form a sliding-fit in the counterbore 17 in the interior of the casing.v

The supporting spring 18 bears at one endv against the shoulder provided at the lower end oi" the counterbore 17 of the casing. The upper end of said spring bears against the under side oit the annulus 27 of the valve member. i v f i Then the steam pressure .is shut oil1 in k.the device to which the drain valve is connected, the valve .member willbe held in thel elevated position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, by means of the spring 19.

When the valve member is in the elevated position, any water olc'ondensation which collect-s in the steam apparatus Vwill be drained through the connection nipple-,20, thence through the interior of the valve 'membeig thence through the space 24 around the outside `of the valve body, and thence through the port y13130 the pipe which is connected to the extension 14 at the lower end of the casing.

ln Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, the construction and arrangement are substantially similar to those: shown in Figs. 1 and 2, with the exception that a different form of cap member 29 is used, the same being closed at the top, and in lieu of the pipe connection nipple shown in Fig. 1, the casing is provided with a connection nipple 30, extending from the side thereof and threaded as 31 for the purpose of attaching thereto the pipe which extends Jrom the steam apparatus in connection with which the device is used.

ln thearrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the drainage water will pass through the connection nipple 30, vthence through the convolutions of the spring 18, through the interior of the valve member, then around the exterior thereof, through the space 24, through the port 13, and thence to the pipe connected to the lower extension 14 of the casing.

ln Figs. 7 to 10 of the drawings, there is shown a duplex type of valve, particularly adaptable for use in connection with a steam engine and the like, for draining the ends oi' the cylinder as well as the steam chest and also for relieving the ends vot the cylinder againstV abnormal pressure, resulting 'from an accumulation of water therein, or otnerwise.

ln this form of the valve, the casing 11 is so shaped as to provide two internal chambers, in each ot which a valve member 22 is mounted. V

A connection nipple 40 is provided on the side o'i the casing and threaded, as at 41, for the attachment thereto of the pipe wi extends vfrom the steam chest ot the engine. cport 42 extends from the interior oi the connection nipple 4() to the counter-bored portions 17 of the valve chambers iu which the respective valve members 22 are mounted.

ln each end of the casing there is provided a connection nipple 43, threaded as 44 :for the connection of the pipes which. extend from the respective ends or" the cylinders. Each valve seat is provided with an annular recess 45 which is in. communication with a port 46 which extends from the inner end of its connection nipple 43.

In this arrangement, each port 133, below the valve seat, communicateswith a chamber 47, suitably formed in the casing, and providing a passageway between the respective ports 13 in the two valve structures. On the under side ot the casing there is provided an outlet nipple 48, threaded as at 49 vfor the connection thereto ot a drain pipe. The interior of the outlet nipple 48 communicates'with the chamber 47.

Each of the valve chambers is closed at SCI the top by means of a bonnet 50, which is threaded in the top of the casingk ll above the respective valve chambers.

Except las above'noted, the construction and arrangement of the respective valve structures shown in Figs. 7 to l() are substantially similar to those shown in Fide. l to 4l of the drawings, and hereinbefore described.

As above stated, the device shown in Figs. 7 to l0 of the drawings is primarily intended for draining the cylinders of steam engines and the like, and also serves as a relieic valve in the event of abnormal pressure in the ends of the cylinders.

The connection nipple ll0 being connected by means of a suitable pipe to the steam chest of the engine, it will be understood that when the engine is running, live steam willl be supplied to the valve chambers above'tlie body portions' of the respective valves, and the valves will therefore be maintained closed and held on their seats.

When, however, the steam supply to the engine is shut ott, as the pressure falls in the steam chest the valve members will be elevated, and thereafter any condensation water which accumulates in the steam chest or in the respective ends ot the cylinder, will be permitted to pass through the various passageways provided in the structure.

However, it will be understood that when the valve members are in their seated positions, in the event of any abnormal pressure occurring in either end of the cylinder, the valve member will be forced from its seat, and such pressure relieved.

lt will also be noted that when the steam supply Ato the engine is shut off, and the valve members are in their elevated position, if the engine continues to run, the passageway aiiorded by the chamber 47 will permit the contents of the respective ends ot the engine cylinder to pass back and forth, thus obviatiiig the sucking of air from the exterior. l

It will be seen that, by the present invention,there is provided a relatively simple and inexpensive, yet efficient form oi drain valve, in which a compression spring is employed, and in which proper axial movement of the valve member to and from its seat will at all times be insured.

I claim:

1. An automatic drain valve comprising a portion of the valve chamber, the casing structure having an inlet communicating with the valve chamber above the body portion of the valve member, and having an outlet communicating with the valve chamber through the valve seat.

2. An automaticv drain valve comprising a casing having an internal valve chamber, a valve seat at the bottom of said chamber, the upper portion of the chamber being counterbored, a valve member mounted in said chamber, said valve member having a body portion provided with atace complemental to the valve seat, the diameter of the valvel body being slightly `less than the diameter of the' lower portionV of the valve chamber, the valve member having a plurality ot' arms extending upwardly from the body portion,

the outer faces of said arms being of a diameter corresponding tothe lower portion of the valve chamber, the valve member having an annulus connecting the upper ends oli said arms, the external surface of said annulus being of a diameter correspondl ing to the diameter of the counterbored portion of the valve chamber, a spring adapted to support the valve member inits elevated position, said spring beingk seated in the counterbored portion ot the valve chamber, the casing structure having an inlet communicating with the valve chamber above the body portion of the valve member, and having an outlet communicating with the valve chamber through the valve seat.

3. An automatic drain valve comprising a casing having an internal valve chamber, a valve seat at the bottom of saidl chamber, the upper portion of the chamber being counterbored, a valve member mounted in said chamber, said valve member having a body portion provided with a tace complemental to the valve seat, the diameter of the valve body being slightly less than the diameter lof the lower portion of the valve chamber, the valve member having a plurality of arms extending upwardly from the body portion, the outer faces of said arms ,being of a diameter corresponding to the lower portion of the valve chamber, the valve member having an annulus connecting the upper ends of Vsaid arms, the externalv surface of said annulus being of a diameter "can,

corresponding' to the diameter of the counterboard portion 01' the. valve chamber, the casing structure having an inlet communi-y cating with ther valve chamber above the body portion or the valve member, and havingan outlet communicating with the valve chamber through the valve seat, and a spring surrounding the arms of the valve member and adapted to support said valve member in its elevated position.

4. An automatic drain valve comprising` a casing' having an internalvalve chamber, a valve seat-.at the bottom ol" said chamber, the upper portion of the chamber being counterbored, a valve member mounted in said chamber, said valve member havinp` abody portion provided with a lace complemental to the valve seat, the diameter of the valve body being slightly less than the diameter of the lower portion ot the valve chamber, the valve member having a plurality of arms extending upwardly from the body portion, the outer 'faces or said arms being of a diameter corresponding` to the lower portion or the valve chamber, the valve member having` an annulus connecting the upper ends or said. arms, the external surface o' said annulus being of a diameter corresponding' to the diameter o' the counterbored portion. ot the valve chamber, a spring adapted to support the valve member in its elevated position, said spring being?r seated in the counterbored portion of' the valve chamber and having` its upper portion bearing against the under side of the annulus or the valve member, the casing structure having an inlet communicating with the valve chamber above the body portion of the valve member, and having an outlet communicating with the valve chamber through the valve seat.

5. An automatic drain valve comprising a casing having a plurality of internal valve chambers, a valve seat at the bottom of each of said chambers, the upper portions of said chambers being counterbored, a valve member mounted in each of said chambers, said valve members each having,^ a body portion provided with a face complemental to the valve seat, the diameter o'l each valve body being` sliohtly less than the diameter of the lower port-ion oli its chamber, each valve member having a plurality of arms extending upwardly from its body portion, the outer faces of said arms or each valve being of a diameter corresponding vto the lower portion of the respective valve chambers, each valve member having an annulus connecting the upper ends or the arms, the eX- ternal surface of the annulus oi each valve member being out a diameter corresponding to the diameter of the counterbore'd portion of the respective valve chambers, a spring` for each valve member adapted to supportJ said valve member in its elevated position, said springs being seated in the counterbored portions ol the valve chambers, the casing` structure having` an inlet communica-ting,` with each valve chamber above the body portions or" the valve members, and having); an outlet communicating with the valve chamber through the valve seat, each ot' the valve seats having an annular recess, and the casing` structure having` a separate inlet terminating` in each valve seat.

6. An automatic drain valve comprising a casing having a plurality ot internal valve chambers, a valve seat at the bottom oi each of said chambers, thc upper portions o'l" said chambers being counterbored, a valve member mounted in each of' said chambers, said valve members each having a ody portion provided with a 'face complemental to the valve seat, the diameter ot each valve body beingl slightly less than the diameter oit the lower portion O its chamber, each valve member having a plurality oli arms entend ing' upwardly 'from its body portion, the outer faces of said arms or each alve beine' of a diameter corresponding to the lower portion or the respective valve chambers, each valve member having* an annulus connecting the upper ends of the arms, the cX- ternal surface of the annulus of each valve member being of a diameter correspondingT to the diameter ot the counterbored portion or the respective valve chambers, a spring' for each valve member adapted to support said valve member in its elevated position.,l said springs being' seated in the counterbored portions or the valve chambers, the casingv structure having an inlet communicating with each valve chamber above the body portions of the valve members, and having,- an outlet communicating; with the valve chamber through the valve seat, each ot the valve seats having an annular recess, and the casing structure having a separate inlet communicating with each valve seat recess.

ROBERT lvl. 

